Valve



Dec. 22, 1942.

1 1 E. J. LuErz'E'LscHwAB VALVE Filed Dec. 31, 1940 Patented' Dec. 22, 1942 `Edgar J. hietlelschwab, Hammond, Ind., assignor f to Standard' Oil Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Indiana Application December 3.1, 1940, Serial No. 372,531

4 claims. A(cl. 1x1- 139) 'I'his invention relates to apparatus `for the g regulation of the ow of solids or gases laden with solids. More particularly my invention relates to a valve mechanism for regulating the flow of powdered` or granular catalyst.

It is an object of my invention to provide a valve mechanism whereby a more complete closure can be effected. My invention finds greatr utility in a systein for catalyticaily treating hydrocarbons. Therefore, it is another object to provide a valve mechanism which is capable of closing and guiding lapped bellows 22 comprising an annular, corrugated expansible wall. One end of the bellows 22 is xed to the skirt of the movpositive control and regulation of flow of catalyst into or. out of a reaction chamber. A further object of my invention is to provide a catalyst metering device which avoids attrition of the cata-` lyst. Other objects, uses and advantages of my invention will become apparent as'the description thereof proceeds.

The Aabove and other objects are attainedby my invention wherein the valve plug is actuated by a bellowsand has ducts adapted to Vdirect a` ,stream of inert gas upon the valve seat as the valve is closing. The effective seating ofthe valve .also closes-the gas ducts -and the rapid rise vin pressure indicates the eiective closure of the valve by the fluid pressure bellows.

My invention comprises the novel construction of the valve, a preferred form of which will be described hereinafter, reference being made particularly 'to the accompanying drawingV in which: L

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an installation embodying my invention, parts being shown insection and partsbeing broken away; and

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

The apparatus shown in the drawing comprises a hopper or catalyst tower I having a cone bottom Il which merges into a circular valve guiding portion orl sleeve vI2 which terminates in valve seat I3. The tower III contains a iiuid I4 which can be powderedvor granular catalyst or otherwise. Chamber I5 can, for example, be a able valve plug and is within the cage 2l. The

other end is attached to the base portion 23 which in turn is fixed to supports 24. The cage 2l carried by the valve plug has slots 25 adapted to pass over supports 24 and follows the movement of the bellows 22 while serving to guide the bellows. However,v the cage 2| can be replaced by a plurality ofguide rails. Likewise the cage or guiding means can be supported by the fixed base The valveassembly l6-20 is raised and-lowered by applying or releasing fluid pressure respectively to bellows 22. A tubular extension 26 of bellows 22 communicates with the base plate 23 and can be screw-threaded to receive the end of a fluid conduit or tube 21 leading to the actuating means. The conduit 21 is xed to member 23 by means of a union or fitting designated generally at 28.

When the pressure is applied by the actuating iluid entering bellows 22 through line 21, the valve body 2U is raised into an operative position. Likewise withdrawal of the fluid lowers the valve to an open position indicated by broken line 29. used, for example oil, water, air, steam, flue gas, gaseous hydrocarbons and the like.

Fluid ducts 30 communicate with chamber I9 and the valve seating surface 20 of the valve reaction' chamber or a secondary catalyst accumlation chamber.

The hollow valve plug or cone I6 slidable longitudinally can be provided with ribs I1 extending 'from a point near the apex of the cone to the cylindrical base I3 and serve to guide the valve plug within the sleeve l2.

Extendingv from the cylindrical base I9 is enclosed chamber I9 forming the skirt of the valve with surface 29 being adapted to engage the valve seat I3.

Fixed to the skirt lof the valve is a cage 2| enbodyor adjacent thereto. Preferably, these con-' `duits comprise a plurality of closely spaced, radially drilled holes. 'I'he fluid passes from supply tube 3l, through flexible or hinged conduit 32 into 'chamber I9 and thence onto the valve seat I3,

l2l). The inert fluid'is introduced at a pressure higher than on either side lof the valve and is forced through the ducts 30 cleaning the valve seat I3, 20. Thus, the solid particles are removed and the valve closes as tightly as on a dry gas line. The fluid preferably is inert to the, catalyst and reactants and can be for example air,

steam, ilue gas, nitrogen, gaseous hydrocarbons, etc. Likewise although it is preferred that the fluid ducts 30 lead to the valve seat, the ducts can communicate with the adjacent area either above or below the valve seat proper. For example the ducts can'extend through I9 and onto annular valve guide I2.

Relief valve 33 and/or indicating pressure gauge 34 are provided on line 3| leading from the inert fluid source to the chamber I9. When the valve seat I3, 20 is gas-tight, it is apparent that Any suitable actuating fiuids can be the cleaning fiuid no longer will flowvfromi chamber I9, and the pressure will rise rapidly. This increase in pressure can be us'ed to indicate that the valve is in fact completely closed. Relief valve 33 can be provided or some other pressure responsive mechanism can be used tocontrol the flow of gas. Likewise, this auxiliary uid system can be used to detect leaks in the valve during operation. Theinvention has been disclosed in a single embodiment but it is understood that it may take various forms and find numerous applications and that I do not intend to belimited except by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A valve for regulating the gravity flow of solid particles comprising a port having a valveseating surface, a chambered valve plug adapted to close said port, a fluid-actuated bellows carrying said'valve plug, an actuating-fluid conduit communicating with the interior of said bellows, a flexible gas-supply `line passing through said bellows and communicating with the interior of said chambered valve plug, a plurality of gas ducts leading from the interior of said chambered valve plug to the plug surface whereby the body of owing solid particles is aerated and the valve seat is freed of solid particles before the valve plug seats, the said ducts being adapted to be cut o by the closing of the valve.

2. A valve mechanismfor regulating the flow of solid particles comprising a discharge port having a valve-seating surface, a chambered valve plug adapted to engage said valve-seating surface to close effectively said port, a fluid-holding bellows for actuating said valve, oney end member of said bellows being flxedly mounted, the other end of said bellows comprising said valve plug and being movable relative to the fixed end, an actuating-Huid conduit communicating with said bellows, a gas-supply line passing through said bellows and communicating with the interior of s aid chambered valve plug, a plurality of ducts leading from the chamber in said valve plug to the valve-seating surface, said ducts being adapted to be blocked when the discharge port is effectively closed, and means for determining the closed position of said valve comprising a pressure-responsive device on said gassupply line.

3. In a device for transferring powdered cata- -lyst from a catalyst accumulation zone into a contacting zone, the improvement comprising a discharge port leading from said catalyst accumulation zone to said contacting zone, a chambered valve plug adapted effectively to close said discharge port, a bellows for moving said valve plug into said closed position, one end of said bellows being xedly mounted and the other end being fixed to said chambered valve plug, an operating-fluid conduit communicating with the interior of said bellows, a cage extending from aerated and the valve-seating surface is freed l of solid particles before the valve closing, and means for determining the closed position of said valve comprising a pressure-responsive device on said gas-supply line. 1

4. In the combination of a reservoir for a body of solid particles and means for regulating the gravity ow of solid particles therefrom the improvement comprising a port having a valve seating surface, a chambered valve plug adapted to close said port, an aeration gas supply line communicating with the interior of said chambered valve plug, a plurality of aeration gas ducts leading from the interior of said chambered valve plug to the plug surface normally adapted for flow of aeration gas therethrough whereby the Valve seating surface is freed of solid particles when the valve plug seats and aeration gas is introduced into the body of solid particles, the said ducts being adapted to be blocked by the closing of the valve, and means for determining the open and closed positions of the valve plug, said means comprising a pressure-responsive device on said aeration gas supply line.

EDGAR J. LUE'IZELSCHWAB. 

